Area residents react to outcome of election

Citizens have mixed views

November 8, 2012

ESCANABA - While Barack Obama won national election, in Delta County Mitt Romney was the favored candidate. He received 9,533 votes to Obama's 8,330. The close local race left many residents eager to express their opinions Wednesday.

"Honestly with the way everything was going, and the way everyone was talking, and how the polls looked, I don't see how Obama really got back into it. It doesn't make any sense," said Bay College student Robert Gazel. In the past two months, Gazel said he had not spoken to anyone who claimed they were planning to vote for Obama.

A few voters believe the election had already had negative effects for Americans.

"I went to get gas today (Wednesday) and it was 20 cents more than it was yesterday, and I'm upset," said Travis Ruesing. When asked if he believed that the gas prices were directly related to the election, Ruesing replied, "I don't know, but if it is, then I'm upset."

Others were concerned about the moral state of the nation now that it was confirmed Obama would have a second term in office.

"I'm an independent, but I voted Republican this time because I think he needed to win it, because our country's morals are going to heck. Our country's just falling apart," said one senior at the Senior Citizen Center in Escanaba, who preferred to be known simply as Steve.

"He hates religion. The man has no religious background at all," Steve added.

Another senior, who preferred to remain anonymous disagreed. "It's the best thing that ever happened, as far as I'm concerned" he said. "Best thing that ever happened. You better believe it."

Some first-time voters also expressed pleasure at Obama's win. "I'm happy Obama won," said 20-year-old Bay College student William Swisher, doing a little dance in his chair.

There were voters who were more excited that Romney lost the election than they were that Obama won. "I was indifferent about voting but I was happy Obama won - I'm not really a Romney fan," said Rebecca Briar.

From a policy standpoint, Mary Grzyb, who works in registration and admitting at OSF St. Francis Hospital, does not believe that much has changed in heath care as a result of the election since Romney will not be able to repeal Obama's Affordable Care Act.

"What he (Obama) said is going to happen I'm sure. I mean if the other one had gotten in, we wouldn't know for sure, but I think what he said is going to go through and it's going to be a change for everyone," said Grzyb.

The common thread for voters on both sides of the aisle seems to be they are happy the election is over. "I'm glad things have calmed down today - with all the mail and all the phone calls and all the hype," said Grzyb.